Upgrading my 2006 Mac Pro 1.1 with used X5355 SLAEG Quad Proc 2.66 Ghz

After much reading I've decided to go ahead and upgrade my stock Intel Mac Pro from Core Duo (2 CPU chips, 4 cores) to Quad (2 CPU chips, 8 cores). Compatibility seems rock solid for those who've done this. The optimum chip is X5365 SLAED 3.0 Ghz was cost prohibitive. I scored a pair of the lesser X5355 SLAEG 2.66 Ghz chips on ebay for $145 shipped. These are tested. Getting into the Mac Pro to replace these is a bit of a PITA, but I think the effort will be well worth the gain.

Anyone else tried this?

Here's a couple of good videos on how to:




More on this here:
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/music-computers/493132-mac-pro-1-1-processor-upgrades-3.html

Justin,
Will this allow it to run Mountain Lion? I have the same computer.. This could be a great way to go. I had not thought about this. Totally curious now

Cool!

Well, there is an element of risk. First that I'm using "USED" (albeit "tested") chips. Second, I'm opening this sucker up and removing gigantic heat sinks and other stuff around - not for the faint at heart and not quite as easy as your average PC. Finally, these chips aren't "Spec" meaning they just might not work. However from everything I'm ready, those who've done this have been successful and very pleased with the extra horsepower. I'll let you know what happens.

Hey Justin,
I will also be very interested in how this turns out. Good luck.

Well... we all learn from our mistakes! After painstakingly taking my Mac Pro 2006 apart, installing the 2nd hand x5355 chips - I got it running like a champ! Checked it out, 8 cores, started right up whooo hooo! ehh then I quickly realized the CPU fans weren't running. No problem I thought, they must not be properly connected. I opened her up, re-seated the fans and the... ehhh, yikes, no power! No click, no LED on the front panel, nada, zip!! After exhaustively looking for what could be wrong, sigh!, nothing. I reset the SMC and when I when I push the diagnostic button only the trickle power supply lights up.

Sooooo I might just have a 50 lb paperweight on my hands. Live and learn.

I ordered up a used APPLE MAC PRO (EARLY 2008) 2X QUAD CORE 2.8GHZ 4GB 320GB 8800GT 512MB-VRAM LOADED for $1K that'll be here in a couple of days. I'll strip the whatever I can from my old mac and maybe re-sell it for parts or just donate it. I might take it to a local shop and see if anyone can revive it or search for a cheap cheap used power supply just to try it.

In summary, I'm pretty tech saavy, I was very careful in the procedure, it worked for a while, I just got unlucky. If you attempt this yourself, I'd pause to consider the possible risks. Also while I love the design of the Mac Pro overall, some parts are difficult to access and put back. Probably the worst is the front fan assembly.

Ok I opened up the computer last night and checked everything. I found a used power supply on ebay for $50. As soon as it comes I'll see if I can bring this puppy back from the dead. Wish me luck. I'll either keep it as a backup computer or sell it.

Good luck

Good luck, and in the meantime the 2008 8 x 2.8GHz is a fantastic machine. I've been running mine all day long since September 2, 2008, and it still has a silly amount of power. Never in history has a 4-year-old machine been able to keep up with current music software.

The only drawback is that you're going to pay a lot to upgrade the memory.

Yeah, 4 GB is a little lame. I'll probably layout another $200 or so to bring it up to 12 GB.

I'm hoping I see a boost in the number of native RTAs plugins I can run in a session and maybe also bringing the hardware buffer down with less hickups.

I debated over whether of not to go for a 2009 Nehalem processor which I believe is faster but the price just wasn't quite right. I'm pleased for $1K I got what I got.

By the way, those videos are by a fellow named Kays, who's a friend of mine.

Small world.

Update: doesn't look like the power supply was the problem. That means it's the logic board and that means I'm done. I'll have to sell it or give it away for parts. Expensive lesson for me to learn but hey, we all have our adventures now don't we.

Justin: Have you replaced the backup battery? I presume you've tried that. If it dies, you can't fire up the power supply.

It's most likely a 3.6v lithium that you can borrow from another Mac for a test.

tried that, no luck

UPDATE: I opted to buy a used Mac Pro 1.1 (early 2006) logic board off of ebay for $100. Replaced the logic board and installed the used 5355 SLAEG chips for dual quad core (8 cores) vs the 4 cores of the dual 5150 chips. Success! My Mac Pro 2006 is revived and speedy! Interesting to note I was able, through a hacked firmware updater, to update to Mac 2.1. Unfortunately, this model mac cannot be updated to Mountain Lion so Lion will have to do. But it runs my 2nd copy of Pro Tools 10.3.5 quick as a whip! Thinking I'll keep this machine as a spare for a little while. It could be used if I ever have to do some recording outside my studio or hook up a midi controller keyboard and have some fun with VI's.

Lesson learned... upgrades like this can be risky but I now have the benefit of knowing how to take apart this machine correctly. For the explorer who enjoys tinkering, upgrades can be both fun and fruitful. Certainly feels good to no longer have a 50 lb paperweight. Street value of this machine - maybe $400-$500 nowadays. I think what I love about it most of all is the case is built like a tank.

Interesting. How much did you end up spending for the chips, if I might be so creeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwd as to ahsck?

Not being able to go past Lion wouldn't make any difference to me, by the way. It would easily cost me $2k to update all the Rosetta software I need to use once in a while.

Have I ranted about this before here? I don't blame Apple for abandoning support for old software, but it does annoy me that they went out of their way to ensure that you can't run 10.6 in a virtual machine.

Yeah this planned obsolescence sucks.

I have a Macpro 1,1 early 2006 so it is the one that cant do Mountain Lion. Ive already shared that whole thing. But It makes me weary of saying that Ill buy the Macpro until the next renewal. Early adoption hasnt paid off well for me.

I paid $140 for the chips on ebay in August 2012 when I figured I'd would try to experiment with my working system to make it faster. To recap, I destroyed my logic board probably due to my own error or luck of the draw (I'll let you decide) and I've had a 50 lb paperweight for almost a year. I was close to junking it but I just had to see it through. In the end, I was successful, I now have another machine with my spare copy of Pro Tools 10.3.5 on it. I can think of lots of uses. I also have a spare copy of the Pro Tools Instrument Expansion pack so I could use this machine as dedicated for VI's or move it to another part of my house, use it for remote recording sessions (e.g. someone else's house) etc.

So you spent $200 to turn a broken MP 1,1 into an 8 x 2.66?

That's pretty damn good.

So,
The Macpro 1,1 cant run in 64 bit mode after the upgrade? WHy not?
Is that all that holds it back from running Mountain Lion?

j

Here's the answer and a possible workaround to get ML on the MacPro 1,1.

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-574...intel-mac-pros/